I have a horrible feeling that the new xbox is going to spread itself too thinly trying to focus more towards entertainment and entertainment/family style games thus alienating the core of gamers that picked up the original xbox and 360. I hope I'm wrong but remain sceptical.

I'm surprised that Microsoft haven't come out quicker for the next Xbox. The PS4 has certainly made a very good impression and lots of people were impressed, even the Xbox loyalists! Interesting times lie ahead.

I think Microsoft need to realise (and or hopefully do realise) is that the reason why the family focus style caught on this generation is because enthusiastic gamers bought the console in their droves and then introduced their family and non-gamer-friends to said features. It's why the Wii was a success and it's why the 360 has become a media box.

If they don't focus on the games just at first, to draw in the enthusiast (i.e the kind of people who would watch a live stream for the announcement of a console), then those enthusiasts won't introduce the product to the family crowd who will use the media functions. Microsoft will be in a similar situation to what Nintendo are in right now with the Wii U (which will hopefully Nintendo be rectify this coming E3).

"In this industry revolutions don't need to be original or innovative, they just need to set the new standard.":)

I think Microsoft need to realise (and or hopefully do realise) is that the reason why the family focus style caught on this generation is because enthusiastic gamers bought the console in their droves and then introduced their family and non-gamer-friends to said features. It's why the Wii was a success and it's why the 360 has become a media box.

If they don't focus on the games just at first, to draw in the enthusiast (i.e the kind of people who would watch a live stream for the announcement of a console), then those enthusiasts won't introduce the product to the family crowd who will use the media functions. Microsoft will be in a similar situation to what Nintendo are in right now with the Wii U (which will hopefully Nintendo be rectify this coming E3).

If they don't focus on the games just at first, to draw in the enthusiast (i.e the kind of people who would watch a live stream for the announcement of a console), then those enthusiasts won't be able to introduce the product to the family crowd who will use the media functions

Yup, I'll go with that. The 360, for me, has felt way more family friendly than the PS3. Everything's brighter, laid out better with a big, chunky UI and it just feels like it would be more attractive to those with kids or someone who maybe has only a very casual interest in games and wants an entertainment unit.

I think Microsoft will be wary if they do boost that family-friendly image further though having seen what's happened so far with the WiiU. I think they'll carry on bolstering themselves as family-friendly while still appealing to core gamers with solid titles and decent exclusives, which is basically what they've been doing the last few years anyway.

I'd say they definitely need to come out before E3, then both Sony and MS need to show the hardware itself at E3.

if Sony can do a bit of self reflection and come up trumps with what we've seen on PS4, then there's every chance MS can as well. But there is admittedly a heavier emphasis on media on the current Xbox which could influence their decisions a lot more than Sony.